The student is expected to acquire the necessary knowledge to move through the relevant historical cultural landscape in a critical manner by highlighting the dynamics that connect literary, historical and cultural phenomena. Students are also expected be able to present issues and problems related to the authors and literary works learned in the course. They will have acquired the tools to analyze various textual forms, particularly the literary text, applying the tools and methodologies of linguistic, philological, and literary investigation.
Ability to express personal judgement:
The student will have acquired the tools to deal critically and analytically with the literary works presented, producing thematic and intertextual paths and highlighting possible influences or reworkings.
Communication skills:
The student is expected to develop the vocabulary and knowledge necessary to expound on the issues related to the program with the appropriate command of language.
Learning skills:
The student will be able to independently approach Japanese literary production with an awareness of its cultural and historical implications. Will develop the learning skills necessary to independently undertake subsequent higher-level studies consistent with his or her education. Will develop the ability to adequately consult databases and other information available on the internet.
Knowledge of the major events of Japanese history of the VI-XVIII century is advisable.
The ability to understand written texts in both Italian and English is mandatory.
Lectures that provide the chance for constructive debate on the examined topics.
The examination consists of a single oral interview on several topics chosen by the instructor.
The exam may be replaced by three written tests to be taken in class during the semester, exclusively on dates set by the teacher.
Language in which the exam is conducted: Italian. If necessary, it can be conducted in English.
Evaluation Criteria
The following will be assessed:
- the degree of assimilation of the course contents;
- the ability to make connections between the various topics studied, tracing synchronic and diachronic thematic paths;
- clarity of exposition and command of language.
(The titles of the works studied should be learned in both Italian and Japanese).
Mandatory readings for all:
Storia della letteratura giapponese Vol. I. Dalle origini all'Ottocento (a cura di Carolina Negri), Einaudi, 2025.
Storia di un tagliabambù, tr. Adriana Boscaro, Marsilio, Venezia, 1994.
Murasaki Shikibu, La storia di Genji (Genji monogatari), tr. Maria Teresa Orsi, Einaudi, Torino, 2012 (Capitoli 1–13).
Le memorie della dama di Sarashina, tr. Carolina Negri, Marsilio, Venezia, 2005.
La monaca tuttofare; La donna serpente; Il demone beone, tr. Roberta Strippoli, Marsilio, Venezia, 2001.
Ihara Saikaku, Vita di un libertino, tr. Lydia Origlia, SE, Milano, 2021.
Further readings will be provided by the instructor though the Teams platform.
Non-mandatory textbooks to be used as reference:
Donald Keene, Seeds in the Heart: Japanese Literature from the Earliest Times to the Late Sixteen Century, Columbia University Press, New York, 1998.
Donald Keene, World Within Walls: Japanese Literature of the Pre-Modern Era, 1600-1867, Columbia University Press, New York, 1999 (1976).
Shirane, Suzuki, Lurie, eds., The Cambridge History of Japanese Literature, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (UK), 2016.
1. Classical Japanese Literature: historical and cultural background of the authors and works of the Nara and Heian periods, specifically poetry and narrative genres.
2. Medieval Japanese Literature: historical and cultural background of the authors and works of the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, specifically poetry, narrative genres, and theater.
3. Early-modern Japanese Literature: historical and cultural background of the authors and works of the first half of the Tokugawa period, specifically poetry, narrative, and theater.
Italian
